CARLSBAD – The Chamber of Commerce's political action committee has complained to the state's Fair Political Practices Commission that a campaign group is violating state law.

In a complaint faxed to the commission yesterday, the chamber says Concerned Citizens of Carlsbad is endorsing candidates and assisting their campaigns, a possible violation of the state Political Reform Act.

Concerned Citizens of Carlsbad was organized to “maintain existing zoning in agricultural and open space areas,” its filing papers say. It also has said in financial disclosures that it supports Proposition E, which aims to preserve lands along Cannon Road near Interstate 5 as agriculture. Such committees are barred from backing candidates.

The complaint says the committee has violated the law by backing council candidate Ronald Alvarez and mayoral candidate William Griffith in a mailer and with a sign.

The complaint also names council candidate Dustin Johnston, the committee's assistant treasurer.

Because Alvarez is an organizer of the committee, his council campaign is barred from receiving financial support from it.